Fitness applications of a wireless device

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems for use in connection with a fitness routine and/or an exercise apparatus. In one such method, fitness information is stored in a fitness analysis system and operative communication is established with an exercise apparatus and/or a wireless communication device. A fitness information request is received at the fitness analysis system, and the system sends a setting associated with the exercise apparatus to facilitate a workout using an exercise apparatus. The system receives exercise information corresponding to the workout, and updates fitness information during the workout. The updated fitness information is analyzed to generate associated with the exercise apparatus to facilitate a subsequent workout.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The instant application is a continuation of, and claims priority toU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/764,026, filed Feb. 11, 2013. U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/764,026 is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/529,388, filed Jun. 21, 2012, which issued onMar. 5, 2013 with U.S. Pat. No. 8,388,500. U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/529,388 is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/879,107, filed Sep. 10, 2010, which issued on Aug. 7, 2012 with U.S.Pat. No. 8,235,871. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/879,107 is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/615,065, filed Dec.22, 2006, which issued on Oct. 12, 2010 with U.S. Pat. No. 7,811,201.U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/764,026 is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/529,388 isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/879,107 is incorporated by reference herein inits entirety. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/615,065 isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety. U.S. Pat. No.8,388,500 is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. U.S. Pat.No. 8,235,871 is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. U.S.Pat. No. 7,811,201 is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Wireless device users frequently bring wireless devices (e.g., cellulartelephones, MP3 players, etc.) with them wherever they go to stay intouch with the outside world, to play music and so forth. Users commonlyuse a wireless device for these reasons while exercising.

When a user exercises in a gym, electronic and other exercise equipmentmay be present. Electronic exercise equipment usually has severalsettings that should be adjusted before a suitable workout can beprovided to the user. For example, if a user wishes to use a treadmill,the user may need to set the user's age, gender, weight, desired speed,desired incline and/or desired pre-set exercise program. The moresophisticated and feature-laden the exercise equipment, the moreinvolved the set up process typically becomes. Even in the case ofnon-electronic exercise equipment, settings must be remembered by theuser, or written down for future use. Otherwise, the user will eitherrisk using the equipment improperly, or will have to determine theproper settings every time he or she uses the equipment. For example,weight equipment typically has settings for weight, seat position andthe like.

Various forms of feedback may be provided to the user once the user hascompleted the workout. For example, the number of repetitions the userperformed, distance run, calories expended, average heart rate, etc.,are all types of information that may be useful in determining futureworkouts or tracking a user's progress. Conventionally, such informationmay need to be recorded manually, such as in a paper notebook.Specialized exercise equipment, such as a heart rate monitor, may recordfeedback information that it recorded itself, but typically suchspecialized devices do not record information from other devices, suchas electronic exercise equipment.

SUMMARY

In view of the above limitations and drawbacks, methods and wirelessdevices for use in connection with a fitness program and/or an exerciseapparatus is disclosed herein. In one such method, fitness informationis stored in a memory and operative communication is established with anexercise apparatus. At least a subset of the fitness information is sentto the exercise apparatus to facilitate a user workout using theexercise apparatus. Exercise information corresponding to the userworkout is received from the exercise apparatus, and the at least asubset of the fitness information is updated in the memory according tothe received exercise information.

One such wireless device includes a memory that stores fitnessinformation, where at least a subset of the fitness information isrelated to an exercise apparatus. The wireless device also includes auser interface module that permits user interaction with the wirelessdevice, and an exercise communication module. The exercise communicationmodule communicates with the exercise apparatus and sends the at least asubset of the fitness information to the exercise apparatus tofacilitate a user workout.

In another such method, fitness information is stored in a memory of awireless device, and at least a subset of the fitness information ispresented to a user. Exercise information relating to a user workout isreceived from the user, and the fitness information is updated based onthe received exercise information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing Summary, as well as the following detailed description, isbetter understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings.For the purpose of illustrating various embodiments, there is shown inthe drawings example embodiments; however, embodiments are not limitedto the specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed. In thedrawings:

FIG. 1A illustrates an example configuration in which aspects of anembodiment may be employed;

FIG. 1B illustrates an example wireless device that may be used inconnection with an embodiment;

FIGS. 2A-B are flowcharts illustrating example methods in accordancewith an embodiment;

FIG. 3A illustrates an overview of a network environment in whichaspects of an embodiment may be implemented;

FIG. 3B illustrates a GPRS network architecture in which aspects of anembodiment may be implemented; and

FIG. 3C illustrates an alternate block diagram of an example GSM/GPRS/IPmultimedia network architecture in which aspects of an embodiment may beimplemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of the disclosed embodiments is described withspecificity to meet statutory requirements. However, the descriptionitself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, theinventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might alsobe embodied in other ways, to include different steps or elementssimilar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction withother present or future technologies. Moreover, although the term “step”may be used herein to connote different aspects of methods employed, theterm should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among orbetween various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the orderof individual steps is explicitly described.

The embodiments disclosed herein allow a person to use a wireless devicein connection with a fitness program and/or an exercise apparatus. Forexample, fitness information (e.g., exercise equipment settings, workoutresults and other workout information, fitness goals, etc.) may bestored within a wireless device. The user may use the wireless device toaccess the fitness information and use the information before or duringthe workout. The user may also input fitness information into thewireless device for future use in workout planning, fitness progresstracking and the like. In one embodiment, the wireless device mayoperatively communicate with an exercise apparatus (e.g., a treadmill,elliptical trainer, stationary bicycle and the like) to communicateequipment settings, user information, etc. to the apparatus and receiveworkout information, etc., from the apparatus. The various fitnessinformation that may be stored in the wireless device may becommunicated to a database, computer or other device by way of a networkfor fitness tracking and planning purposes or the like.

In the discussion that follows, details relating to wireless devices andnetworks are assumed to be known to those skilled in the art.Accordingly, such details are largely omitted herein for the sake ofclarity and explanation. In addition, any references herein to anexample embodiment involving a cellular telephone is solely for purposesof explanation, and is not intended to limit the invention to any suchembodiment. For example, a wireless device as contemplated by variousembodiments of the invention may include, but are not limited to:cellular telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), email devicesand the like. The wireless device may operate in a cellular, SMR, PCS,cordless, unlicensed AWS, 700 MHz, or other spectrums. Furthermore,embodiments are not limited by the network servicing the device.Accordingly, embodiments may be applicable to any network typeincluding, for example, TDMA, CDMA, WCDMA, GSM, WiFi, WiMAX, OFDM, UMTS,EV-DO, HSDPA/HSUPA and other standards now known or to be developed inthe future.

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating an example configuration 100 ofexercise apparatus 102 and wireless device 110 in accordance with anembodiment. As can be seen in FIG. 1A, wireless device 110 may storefitness information 111. Fitness information 111 may be any type ofinformation that may be used by user 101 in connection with a fitnessregimen. A non-exhaustive and non-limiting list of example fitnessinformation 111 may include: exercise apparatus 102 settings (e.g.,speed, incline, resistance, weight, seat position, etc.), user 101fitness information (e.g., height, weight, body mass index, heart rateinformation, caloric/diet information, etc.), user 101 fitness trackingdata (e.g., data and/or analysis of past workouts, advice for futureworkouts, planned future workouts, etc.) and the like.

Wireless device 110 may, in one embodiment, be in operativecommunication with exercise apparatus 102. In such an embodiment,operative communication may be enabled wirelessly, such as a by way of aBluetooth® connection or the like, or may be enabled in a wired fashionsuch as by way of a cradle, cable or other type of physical connectionbetween wireless device 110 and exercise apparatus 102. When inoperative communication with exercise apparatus 102, wireless device 110may send any type of fitness information 111 to exercise apparatus 102.Wireless device 110 may send such fitness information 111 to exerciseapparatus 102 before, during and/or after a user 101 workout on exerciseapparatus 102. In addition, exercise apparatus 102 may send fitnessinformation 111 to wireless device 110, either before, during and/orafter a user 101 workout on exercise apparatus 102.

In accordance with one embodiment, wireless device 110 may communicatewith communication network 113. As was discussed above, any type ofcommunication network 113 may be used in connection with an embodiment.Communication network 113 may enable operative communication betweenwireless device 110, database 114, computer 115 and the like. In such amanner, fitness information 111 from wireless device 110 or fromexercise apparatus 102 may be communicated to database 114 and/orcomputer 115. In one embodiment, computer 115 may be, for example, user101's personal computer, which may store database 114 within a memory ofcomputer 115 such as a hard disk or the like.

Database 114 or computer 115 may perform analysis or other functionswith respect to fitness information 111, for example, and maycommunicate further information back to exercise apparatus 102 and/orwireless device 110. Database 114 may be any combination of hardwareand/or software that is capable of storing fitness information 111 andallowing analysis thereon. In an alternative embodiment, computer 115may access database 114 by way of a web site or the like. In such anembodiment, the web site may be specially designed for fitness-relatedinformation and functionality, may be a personal user 101 web site orthe like.

FIG. 1B illustrates an example wireless device 110 that may be used inconnection with an embodiment. References will also be made to FIG. 1Aas appropriate. It will be appreciated that the components and modulesof wireless device 110 illustrated in FIG. 1B are illustrative, and thatany number and type of components and/or modules may be present inwireless device 110. In addition, the functions performed by any or allof the components and modules illustrated in FIG. 1B may be performed byany number of physical components. Thus, it is possible that in someembodiments the functionality of more than one component and/or moduleillustrated in FIG. 1B may be performed by any number or types ofhardware and/or software.

Processor 121 may be any type of circuitry that performs operations onbehalf of wireless device 110. In one embodiment, processor 121 executessoftware (i.e., computer readable instructions stored in a computerreadable medium) that includes fitness-related functionality. Suchsoftware may be a part of, may include, or may access, for example,exercise communication module 126, to be discussed below. User interfacemodule 122 may be any type or combination of hardware and/or softwarethat enables user 101 to operate and interact with wireless device 110.For example, user interface module 122 may include a display, physicaland “soft” keys, voice recognition software, microphone, speaker and thelike. Wireless communication module 122 may be any type or combinationof hardware and/or software that enables wireless device 110 tocommunicate with communication network 113. Memory 124 enables wirelessdevice 110 to store information, such as fitness information 111 and thelike. Memory 124 may take any form, such as internal random accessmemory (RAM), an SD card, a microSD card and the like. Power supply 125may be a battery or other type of power input (e.g., a charging cablethat is connected to an electrical outlet, etc.) that is capable ofpowering wireless device 110.

Exercise communication module 126 may be any type or combination ofhardware and/or software that enables wireless device 110 to communicatewith exercise apparatus 102. As noted above, exercise communicationmodule 126 may also include (or may be a part of) fitness-relatedsoftware that enables wireless device 110 to provide fitness-relatedfunctionality. In another embodiment, exercise communication module 126may be accessed by fitness-related software for communication purposes,while other fitness-related functionality is provided by the software.In one embodiment, wireless communication module 123 may perform thefunctions of exercise communication module 126. In an alternativeembodiment, exercise communication module 126 may be separate fromwireless communication module 123.

In one embodiment, exercise communication module 126 may enablecommunication between wireless device 110 and exercise apparatus 102 byway of, for example, Bluetooth or some other standard that is currentlyin use or to be developed in the future. The use of a standardcommunication protocol would help to enable communication betweenwireless device 110 and Bluetooth-enabled exercise apparatus 102,regardless of the brand of exercise apparatus 102 (or wireless device110) being used. It will be appreciated that in some instances asoftware program, circuitry or the like may need to be added toconventional exercise apparatus 102 and/or wireless device 110 to enablesuch communication. It should be noted that while the above discussionfocuses on the use of a standard communication protocol to enablecommunication with a wide range of exercise apparatus 102, an embodimentmay be used in connection with a proprietary communication protocol aswell.

In an embodiment where a wired connection between wireless device 110and exercise apparatus 102 is used, exercise communication module 126may include a USB or other type of physical connection component thatmay be used to connect wireless device 110 to exercise apparatus 102. Ineither a wireless or wired connection between wireless device 110 andexercise apparatus 102, a cradle or other type of docking station may bepart of exercise apparatus 102 or the like, and may be used to securewireless device 110 to exercise apparatus 102 during a workout. If awired connection is used, a connector may be a part of the dockingstation such that wireless device 110 is connected to exercise apparatus102 when inserted into the docking station. The docking station may beadjustable or of a universal-fit type, for example.

Although not illustrated in FIG. 1B, wireless device 110 may includeadditional features, such as a pedometer, accelerometer, heart ratemonitor or the like. The information collected from these features alsomay be stored as part of fitness information 111 and used for trackingor workout creation purposes, for example.

FIG. 2A is a flowchart illustrating an example method 150 in accordancewith an embodiment. References will also be made to FIGS. 1A-B whereappropriate. Method 150 may take place, for example, when wirelessdevice 110 and exercise apparatus 102 are able to be in operativecommunication with each other. At 151, fitness information 111 is storedwithin wireless device 110 such as, for example, in memory 124. As wasnoted above, such storage may be performed automatically or manually by,for example, a user of wireless device 110. At 152, operativecommunication between wireless device 110 and exercise apparatus 102 isestablished. Such communication may be enabled according to, forexample, Bluetooth standards or some other communication protocol. Inaddition, and as was noted above, such communication may be wired orwireless. In an embodiment where such communication is wired, a cradleor other docking mechanism may be available on exercise apparatus 102 soas to enable user 101 to physically connect wireless device 110 toexercise apparatus 102.

At 153, fitness information 111 is sent from wireless device 110 toexercise apparatus 102. It will be appreciated that, in an embodiment, asubset of fitness information 111 stored in wireless device 110 may betransferred to exercise apparatus 102 (e.g., a subset of fitnessinformation 111 that is relevant to exercise apparatus 102 and/or theworkout planned by user 101), rather than all of fitness information111. Fitness information 111 may enable exercise apparatus 102 to set oradjust settings on behalf of user 101. For example, if exerciseapparatus 102 is a treadmill, fitness information 111 may include, butis not limited to: user 101 height, weight and age, incline setting,speed setting, workout program, desired heart rate or desired heart raterange, maximum heart rate, duration of workout, etc. Thus, a treadmillthat has received fitness information 111 from wireless device 110 maybe able to, for example, automatically adjust the incline of the runningplatform, set an initial speed or workout program, set a desired heartrate range for user 101, and so forth. User 101 may then simply beginthe workout without needing to adjust any settings.

Alternatively, user 101 may adjust the settings that were preset byexercise apparatus 102 according to fitness information 111. In such asituation, it will be appreciated that user 101 may only need to makeminor adjustments to the settings, rather than having to adjust settingsfrom a default setting of exercise apparatus 102, or from the settingsused by a previous user of exercise apparatus 102. It will beappreciated that during the workout other functions may be performed bywireless device 110. For example, user 101 may use wireless device 110to send or receive a phone call, text message or the like, view Internetcontent, listen to music, play a game and so forth.

At 154, feedback may be provided to user 101 from either wireless device110, exercise apparatus 102 or both. Such feedback may be providedduring or after the workout. For example, in one embodiment, feedbackmay include workout tracking data (e.g., percent completed, heart rate,calories expended, etc.). Feedback may be presented visually or audibly.For example, in an embodiment where wireless device includes artificialspeech software, feedback may include spoken encouragement, workoutinformation or the like. In addition, or in place of feedback, audio orvisual data, entertainment, encouragement or the like may be provided touser 101 at 154. At 155, exercise information may be received atwireless device 110 from exercise apparatus 102 or user 101. Exerciseinformation may include results of the workout (e.g., distance run,weight lifted, calories expended, average heart rate, maximum heartrate, etc.). If user 101 has changed a setting of exercise apparatus 102from the settings that were specified in fitness information 111 thatwas sent to exercise apparatus 102 in 153, then exercise information mayinclude the changes so future workouts can use the changed settings, ifdesired. It will be appreciated that any type of workout, user 101and/or exercise apparatus 102 related information may be included in theexercise information received by wireless device 110 at 155.

At 156, fitness information 111 may be updated and/or analyzed. In anembodiment, wireless device 110 may add the exercise informationreceived at 155 to fitness information 111 that was already stored inwireless device 110. As a result, wireless device 110 may providefitness information 111 to user 101 using the up-to-date information. Inan alternative embodiment, fitness information 111 may be sent to, forexample, computer 115 or database 114 by way of communication network113, and then updating and/or analysis (either in addition to or inplace of any analysis provided by wireless device 110) may be performedwith respect to fitness information 111.

FIG. 2B is a flowchart illustrating an example method 160 in accordancewith an embodiment. It will be appreciated that method 160 may beemployed in connection with an embodiment where operative communicationbetween wireless device 110 and exercise apparatus 102 is not availableor desired. For example, user 101 may be working out with exerciseapparatus 102 that is not capable of communication with wireless device110 (e.g., older electrical exercise equipment, weights, etc.), or maynot be using exercise apparatus 102 at all (e.g., user 101 is runningoutdoors, etc.).

At 161, fitness information 111 is stored within wireless device 110. Aswas noted above in connection with 151 of FIG. 2A, such storage may beperformed automatically or manually by, for example, user 101. At 162,fitness information 111 may be presented to user 101 by way of, forexample, a display or speakers of wireless interface 110 (i.e., by wayof user interface module 123). In one embodiment, such fitnessinformation 111 may be a listing of equipment settings that may be usedby user 101 to, for example, set or adjust one or more settings onexercise apparatus 102. It should be appreciated that “adjusting asetting” in this context need not involve an adjustment to a piece ofexercise machinery, but may simply be the selection of weight to placeon a dumbbell or barbell, a fitness goal and the like. Thus, the term“setting” should be interpreted broadly to refer to any type of actionthat may be taken with respect to any type of exercise apparatus 102.

In another embodiment, user 101 may simply use fitness information 111as a guide for a workout. Such a use may be appropriate when, forexample, user 101 is not using exercise apparatus 102 as part of user101's workout, or when any setting of exercise apparatus 102 isremembered by user 101, unnecessary based on the type of exerciseapparatus 102 being used, or the like. As was the case above inconnection with method 150 discussed in FIG. 2A, other functions may beperformed by wireless device 110. For example, user 101 may use wirelessdevice 110 to send or receive a phone call, text message or the like,view Internet content, listen to music, play a game and so forth.

At 163, feedback may be provided to user 101. Such feedback may be aswas discussed above in connection with 154 of FIG. 2A. At 164, exerciseinformation may be received at wireless device 110 from user 101.Exercise information may include, but is not limited to, workoutresults, workout notes, user 101 statistics (e.g., average heart rate,maximum heart rate, calories expended, etc.) and the like. In analternative embodiment, wireless device 110 may receive exerciseinformation from, for example, a heart rate monitor or other type ofexercise tracking equipment. In such an embodiment, wireless device 110may receive the exercise information by way of, for example, exercisecommunication module 126 or wireless communication module 123.

At 165, fitness information 111 is updated and/or analyzed. In anembodiment, wireless device 110 may add the exercise informationreceived at 164 to fitness information 111 that was already stored inwireless device. As a result, wireless device 110 may provide workoutand fitness information to user 101 using the up-to-date information. Inan alternative embodiment, fitness information 111 may be sent to, forexample, computer 115 or database 114 by way of communication network113, and then updating and/or analysis (either in addition to or inplace of any analysis provided by wireless device 110) may be performedwith respect to fitness information 111.

Example Network and Operating Environments

The following description sets forth some example telephony radionetworks and non-limiting operating environments in which wirelessdevice 110 may be used. The below-described operating environmentsshould be considered non-exhaustive, however, and thus thebelow-described network architecture merely shows an example networkarchitecture in which aspects of various embodiments may beincorporated. One can appreciate, however, that aspects of an embodimentmay be incorporated into now existing or future alternativearchitectures for communication networks.

The global system for mobile communication (“GSM”) is one of the mostwidely-used wireless access systems in today's fast growingcommunication systems. GSM provides circuit-switched data services tosubscribers, such as mobile telephone or computer users, for example.General Packet Radio Service (“GPRS”), which is an extension to GSMtechnology, introduces packet switching to GSM networks. GPRS uses apacket-based wireless communication technology to transfer high and lowspeed data and signaling in an efficient manner. GPRS optimizes the useof network and radio resources, thus enabling the cost effective andefficient use of GSM network resources for packet mode applications. Forpurposes of explanation, various embodiments are described herein inconnection with GSM. The references to GSM are not exclusive, however,as it should be appreciated that embodiments may be implemented inconnection with any type of wireless access system such as, for example,CDMA or the like.

As may be appreciated, the example GSM/GPRS environment and servicesdescribed herein can also be extended to 3G services, such as UniversalMobile Telephone System (“UMTS”), Frequency Division Duplexing (“FDD”)and Time Division Duplexing (“TDD”), High Speed Packet Data Access(“HSPDA”), cdma2000 1x Evolution Data Optimized (“EVDO”), Code DivisionMultiple Access-2000 (“cdma2000 3x”), Time Division Synchronous CodeDivision Multiple Access (“TD-SCDMA”), Wideband Code Division MultipleAccess (“WCDMA”), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (“EDGE”), InternationalMobile Telecommunications-2000 (“IMT-2000”), Digital Enhanced CordlessTelecommunications (“DECT”), etc., as well as to other network servicesthat shall become available in time. In this regard, the techniques ofthe various embodiments discussed below may be applied independently ofthe method of data transport, and does not depend on any particularnetwork architecture, or underlying protocols.

FIG. 3A depicts an overall block diagram of an example packet-basedmobile cellular network environment, such as a GPRS network, in whichaspects of an embodiment may be practiced. In such an environment, theremay be any number of subsystems that implement the functionality of theenvironment such as, for example, a plurality of Base Station Subsystems(“BSS”) 200 (only one is shown in FIG. 3A), each of which comprises aBase Station Controller (“BSC”) 202 serving a plurality of BaseTransceiver Stations (“BTS”) such as, for example, BTSs 204, 206 and208. BTSs 204, 206, 208, etc., are the access points where users ofpacket-based mobile devices become connected to the wireless network. Inone embodiment, the packet traffic originating from user devices istransported over the air interface to BTS 208, and from BTS 208 to BSC202. Base station subsystems, such as BSS 200, may be a part of internalframe relay network 210 that may include Service GPRS Support Nodes(“SGSN”) such as SGSN 212 and 214. Each SGSN 212, 214, etc. is in turnconnected to internal packet network 220 through which SGSN 212, 214,etc. can route data packets to and from a plurality of gateway GPRSsupport nodes (GGSN) 222, 224, 226, etc. As illustrated, SGSN 214 andGGSNs 222, 224 and 226 are part of internal packet network 220. GatewayGPRS serving nodes 222, 224 and 226 may provide an interface to externalInternet Protocol (“IP”) networks such as Public Land Mobile Network(“PLMN”) 250, corporate intranets 240, Fixed-End System (“FES”), thepublic Internet 230 or the like. As illustrated, subscriber corporatenetwork 240 may be connected to GGSN 224 via firewall 232; and PLMN 250may be connected to GGSN 224 via boarder gateway router 234. RemoteAuthentication Dial-In User Service (“RADIUS”) server 242 may be usedfor caller authentication when a user of a mobile cellular device callscorporate network 240, for example.

Generally, there can be four different cell sizes in a GSMnetwork—macro, micro, pico and umbrella cells. The coverage area of eachcell is different in different environments. Macro cells may be regardedas cells where the base station antenna is installed in a mast or abuilding above average roof top level. Micro cells are cells whoseantenna height is under average roof top level; they are typically usedin urban areas. Pico cells are small cells having a diameter is a fewdozen meters; they are mainly used indoors. On the other hand, umbrellacells are used to cover shadowed regions of smaller cells and fill ingaps in coverage between those cells.

FIG. 3B illustrates the architecture of a typical GPRS network assegmented into four groups: users 250, radio access network 260, corenetwork 270 and interconnect network 280. Users 250 comprise a pluralityof end users (though only mobile subscriber 255 is shown in FIG. 3B).Radio access network 260 comprises a plurality of base stationsubsystems such as BSSs 262, which include BTSs 264 and BSCs 266. Corenetwork 270 comprises a host of various network elements. As illustratedhere, core network 270 may comprise Mobile Switching Center (“MSC”) 271,Service Control Point (“SCP”) 272, gateway MSC 273, SGSN 276, HomeLocation Register (“HLR”) 274, Authentication Center (“AuC”) 275, DomainName Server (“DNS”) 277 and GGSN 278. Interconnect network 280 alsocomprises a host of various networks and other network elements. Asillustrated in FIG. 3B, interconnect network 280 comprises PublicSwitched Telephone Network (“PSTN”) 282, Fixed-End System (“FES”) orInternet 284, firewall 288 and Corporate Network 289.

A mobile switching center may be connected to a large number of basestation controllers. At MSC 271, for example, depending on the type oftraffic, the traffic may be separated such that voice may be sent toPublic Switched Telephone Network (“PSTN”) 282 through Gateway MSC(“GMSC”) 273, and/or data may be sent to SGSN 276, which then sends thedata traffic to GGSN 278 for further forwarding.

When MSC 271 receives call traffic, for example, from BSC 266, it maysend a query to a database hosted by SCP 272. The SCP 272 processes therequest and issues a response to MSC 271 so that it may continue callprocessing as appropriate.

HLR 274 is a centralized database for users to register to the GPRSnetwork. HLR 274 stores static information about the subscribers such asthe International Mobile Subscriber Identity (“IMSI”), subscribedservices, and a key for authenticating the subscriber. HLR 274 alsostores dynamic subscriber information such as the current location ofthe mobile subscriber. Associated with HLR 274 may be AuC 275. AuC 275is a database that contains the algorithms for authenticatingsubscribers and includes the associated keys for encryption to safeguardthe user input for authentication.

In the following, depending on context, the term “mobile subscriber” mayrefer to either the end user or to the actual portable device used by anend user of the mobile cellular service. When a mobile subscriber turnson his or her mobile device, the mobile device goes through an attachprocess by which the mobile device attaches to an SGSN of the GPRSnetwork. Referring now to FIG. 3B, when mobile subscriber 255 initiatesthe attach process by turning on the network capabilities of the mobiledevice, an attach request is sent by mobile subscriber 255 to SGSN 276.The SGSN 276 queries another SGSN, to which mobile subscriber 255 wasattached before, for the identity of mobile subscriber 255. Uponreceiving the identity of mobile subscriber 255 from the other SGSN,SGSN 276 requests more information from mobile subscriber 255. Thisinformation is used to authenticate mobile subscriber 255 to SGSN 276 byHLR 274. Once verified, SGSN 276 sends a location update to HLR 274indicating the change of location to a new SGSN, in this case SGSN 276.HLR 274 notifies the old SGSN, to which mobile subscriber 255 wasattached, to cancel the location process for mobile subscriber 255. HLR274 then notifies SGSN 276 that the location update has been performed.At this time, SGSN 276 sends an Attach Accept message to mobilesubscriber 255, which in turn sends an Attach Complete message to SGSN276.

After attaching itself with the network, mobile subscriber 255 then goesthrough the authentication process. In the authentication process, SGSN276 sends the authentication information to HLR 274, which sendsinformation back to SGSN 276 based on the user profile that was part ofthe user's initial setup. SGSN 276 then sends a request forauthentication and ciphering to mobile subscriber 255. Mobile subscriber255 uses an algorithm to send the user identification (ID) and passwordto SGSN 276. SGSN 276 uses the same algorithm and compares the result.If a match occurs, SGSN 276 authenticates mobile subscriber 255.

Next, mobile subscriber 255 establishes a user session with thedestination network, corporate network 289, by going through a PacketData Protocol (“PDP”) activation process. Briefly, in the process,mobile subscriber 255 requests access to the Access Point Name (“APN”),for example, UPS.com (e.g., which can be corporate network 279) and SGSN276 receives the activation request from mobile subscriber 255. SGSN 276then initiates a Domain Name Service (“DNS”) query to learn which GGSNnode has access to the UPS.com APN. The DNS query is sent to the DNSserver within the core network 270, such as DNS 277, which isprovisioned to map to one or more GGSN nodes in the core network 270.Based on the APN, the mapped GGSN 278 can access the requested corporatenetwork 279. The SGSN 276 then sends to GGSN 278 a Create Packet DataProtocol (“PDP”) Context Request message that contains necessaryinformation. The GGSN 278 sends a Create PDP Context Response message toSGSN 276, which then sends an Activate PDP Context Accept message tomobile subscriber 255.

Once activated, data packets of the call made by mobile subscriber 255can then go through radio access network 260, core network 270, andinterconnect network 280, in particular fixed-end system or Internet 284and firewall 288, to reach corporate network 289.

Thus, network elements that may implicate the functionality of theservice delivery based on real-time performance requirement(s) inaccordance with an embodiment may include but are not limited to GatewayGPRS Support Node tables, Fixed End System router tables, firewallsystems, VPN tunnels and any number of other network elements asrequired by the particular digital network.

FIG. 3C shows another example block diagram view of a GSM/GPRS/IPmultimedia network architecture 300 in which the apparatus and methodsfor transferring multimedia content between receiving devices of thebelow-discussed embodiments may be incorporated. As illustrated,architecture 300 of FIG. 3C includes GSM core network 301, GPRS network330 and IP multimedia network 338. GSM core network 301 includes MobileStation (MS) 302, at least one Base Transceiver Station (BTS) 304 andBase Station Controller (BSC) 306. MS 302 is physical equipment orMobile Equipment (ME), such as a mobile phone or a laptop computer thatis used by mobile subscribers, with a Subscriber identity Module (SIM).The SIM includes an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI),which is a unique identifier of a subscriber. BTS 304 is physicalequipment, such as a radio tower, that enables a radio interface tocommunicate with the MS. Each BTS may serve more than one MS. BSC 306manages radio resources, including the BTS. The BSC may be connected toseveral BTSs. The BSC and BTS components, in combination, are generallyreferred to as a base station (BSS) or radio access network (RAN) 303.

GSM core network 301 also includes Mobile Switching Center (MSC) 308,Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC) 310, Home Location Register (HLR)312, Visitor Location Register (VLR) 314, Authentication Center (AuC)318 and Equipment Identity Register (EIR) 316. MSC 308 performs aswitching function for the network. The MSC also performs otherfunctions, such as registration, authentication, location updating,handovers and call routing. GMSC 310 provides a gateway between the GSMnetwork and other networks, such as an Integrated Services DigitalNetwork (ISDN) or Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTNs) 320. Inother words, GMSC 310 provides interworking functionality with externalnetworks.

HLR 312 is a database that contains administrative information regardingeach subscriber registered in a corresponding GSM network. HLR 312 alsocontains the current location of each MS. VLR 314 is a database thatcontains selected administrative information from HLR 312. The VLRcontains information necessary for call control and provision ofsubscribed services for each MS currently located in a geographical areacontrolled by the VLR. HLR 312 and VLR 314, together with MSC 308,provide the call routing and roaming capabilities of GSM. AuC 316provides the parameters needed for authentication and encryptionfunctions. Such parameters allow verification of a subscriber'sidentity. EIR 318 stores security-sensitive information about the mobileequipment.

Short Message Service Center (SMSC) 309 allows one-to-one Short MessageService (SMS) messages to be sent to/from MS 302. Push Proxy Gateway(PPG) 311 is used to “push” (i.e., send without a synchronous request)content to MS 102. PPG 311 acts as a proxy between wired and wirelessnetworks to facilitate pushing of data to MS 302. Short Message Peer toPeer (SMPP) protocol router 313 is provided to convert SMS-based SMPPmessages to cell broadcast messages. SMPP is a protocol for exchangingSMS messages between SMS peer entities such as short message servicecenters. It is often used to allow third parties, e.g., contentsuppliers such as news organizations, to submit bulk messages.

To gain access to GSM services, such as speech, data, and short messageservice (SMS), the MS first registers with the network to indicate itscurrent location by performing a location update and IMSI attachprocedure. MS 302 sends a location update including its current locationinformation to the MSC/VLR, via BTS 304 and BSC 306. The locationinformation is then sent to the MS's HLR. The HLR is updated with thelocation information received from the MSC/VLR. The location update alsois performed when the MS moves to a new location area. Typically, thelocation update is periodically performed to update the database aslocation updating events occur.

GPRS network 330 is logically implemented on the GSM core networkarchitecture by introducing two packet-switching network nodes, aserving GPRS support node (SGSN) 332, a cell broadcast and a GatewayGPRS support node (GGSN) 334. SGSN 332 is at the same hierarchical levelas MSC 308 in the GSM network. The SGSN controls the connection betweenthe GPRS network and MS 302. The SGSN also keeps track of individualMS's locations and security functions and access controls.

Cell Broadcast Center (CBC) 333 communicates cell broadcast messagesthat are typically delivered to multiple users in a specified area. CellBroadcast is one-to-many geographically focused service. It enablesmessages to be communicated to multiple mobile phone customers who arelocated within a given part of its network coverage area at the time themessage is broadcast.

GGSN 334 provides a gateway between the GPRS network and a public packetnetwork (PDN) or other IP networks 336. That is, the GGSN providesinterworking functionality with external networks, and sets up a logicallink to the MS through the SGSN. When packet-switched data leaves theGPRS network, it is transferred to external TCP-IP network 336, such asan X.25 network or the Internet. In order to access GPRS services, theMS first attaches itself to the GPRS network by performing an attachprocedure. The MS then activates a packet data protocol (PDP) context,thus activating a packet communication session between the MS, the SGSN,and the GGSN.

In a GSM/GPRS network, GPRS services and GSM services can be used inparallel. The MS can operate in one three classes: class A, class B, andclass C. A class A MS can attach to the network for both GPRS servicesand GSM services simultaneously. A class A MS also supports simultaneousoperation of GPRS services and GSM services. For example, class Amobiles can receive GSM voice/data/SMS calls and GPRS data calls at thesame time.

A class B MS can attach to the network for both GPRS services and GSMservices simultaneously. However, a class B MS does not supportsimultaneous operation of the GPRS services and GSM services. That is, aclass B MS can only use one of the two services at a given time.

A class C MS can attach for only one of the GPRS services and GSMservices at a time. Simultaneous attachment and operation of GPRSservices and GSM services is not possible with a class C MS.

GPRS network 330 can be designed to operate in three network operationmodes (NOM1, NOM2 and NOM3). A network operation mode of a GPRS networkis indicated by a parameter in system information messages transmittedwithin a cell. The system information messages dictates a MS where tolisten for paging messages and how signal towards the network. Thenetwork operation mode represents the capabilities of the GPRS network.In a NOM1 network, a MS can receive pages from a circuit switched domain(voice call) when engaged in a data call. The MS can suspend the datacall or take both simultaneously, depending on the ability of the MS. Ina NOM2 network, a MS may not received pages from a circuit switcheddomain when engaged in a data call, since the MS is receiving data andis not listening to a paging channel In a NOM3 network, a MS can monitorpages for a circuit switched network while received data and vise versa.

IP multimedia network 338 was introduced with 3GPP Release 5, andincludes IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) 340 to provide rich multimediaservices to end users. A representative set of the network entitieswithin IMS 340 are a call/session control function (CSCF), media gatewaycontrol function (MGCF) 346, media gateway (MGW) 348, and a mastersubscriber database, referred to as a home subscriber server (HSS) 350.HSS 350 may be common to GSM network 301, GPRS network 330 as well as IPmultimedia network 338.

IP multimedia system 340 is built around the call/session controlfunction, of which there are three types: interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF)343, proxy CSCF (P-CSCF) 342 and serving CSCF (S-CSCF) 344. P-CSCF 342is the MS's first point of contact with IMS 340. P-CSCF 342 forwardssession initiation protocol (SIP) messages received from the MS to anSIP server in a home network (and vice versa) of the MS. P-CSCF 342 mayalso modify an outgoing request according to a set of rules defined bythe network operator (for example, address analysis and potentialmodification).

I-CSCF 343 forms an entrance to a home network and hides the innertopology of the home network from other networks and providesflexibility for selecting an S-CSCF. I-CSCF 343 may contact subscriberlocation function (SLF) 345 to determine which HSS 350 to use for theparticular subscriber, if multiple HSSs 350 are present. S-CSCF 344performs the session control services for MS 302. This includes routingoriginating sessions to external networks and routing terminatingsessions to visited networks. S-CSCF 344 also decides whetherapplication server (AS) 352 is required to receive information on anincoming SIP session request to ensure appropriate service handling.This decision is based on information received from HSS 350 (or othersources, such as application server 352). AS 352 also communicates tolocation server 356 (e.g., a Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC)) thatprovides a position (e.g., latitude/longitude coordinates) of MS 302.

HSS 350 contains a subscriber profile and keeps track of which corenetwork node is currently handling the subscriber. It also supportssubscriber authentication and authorization functions (AAA). In networkswith more than one HSS 350, a subscriber location function providesinformation on HSS 350 that contains the profile of a given subscriber.

The MGCF 346 provides interworking functionality between SIP sessioncontrol signaling from IMS 340 and ISUP/BICC call control signaling fromthe external GSTN networks (not shown). It also controls media gateway(MGW) 348 that provides user-plane interworking functionality (e.g.,converting between AMR- and PCM-coded voice). MGW 348 also communicateswith other IP multimedia networks 354.

Push to Talk over Cellular (PoC) capable mobile phones register with thewireless network when the phones are in a predefined area (e.g., jobsite, etc.). When the mobile phones leave the area, they register withthe network in their new location as being outside the predefined area.This registration, however, may not indicate the actual physicallocation of the mobile phones outside the pre-defined area.

While the various embodiments have been described in connection with thepreferred embodiments of the various figures, it is to be understoodthat other similar embodiments may be used or modifications andadditions may be made to the described embodiment for performing thesame function of the various embodiments without deviating therefrom.Therefore, the embodiments should not be limited to any singleembodiment, but rather should be construed in breadth and scope inaccordance with the appended claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A method comprising: receiving a fitness informationrequest applicable to a predetermined routine, wherein the fitnessinformation request comprises an indication of an exercise apparatustype; sending a first setting associated with the exercise apparatustype and the predetermined routine to facilitate a workout using anexercise apparatus related to the exercise apparatus type; receiving,during the workout, exercise information corresponding to the workoutvia a portable wireless communication device, wherein the exerciseinformation comprises at least one of a workout result, changed exerciseapparatus settings, or changed predetermined routine fitnessinformation; updating, during the workout, fitness information stored onthe device responsive to the received exercise information; andanalyzing the updated fitness information to generate a second settingassociated with the exercise apparatus type for a subsequent workout,wherein: the second setting is generated during the workout; and thesecond setting is obtainable during the subsequent workout.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the exercise information is originated fromthe exercise apparatus.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the firstsetting associated with the exercise apparatus type is sent to aportable wireless communication device.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein the first setting associated with the exercise apparatus type issent to the exercise apparatus.
 5. The method of claim 1, the operationsfurther comprising sending feedback regarding the workout to theportable wireless communication device.
 6. The method of claim 1, theoperations further comprising sending workout information during theworkout, the workout information comprising at least one of workoutprogress, workout-related encouragement, or workout statistics.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, the operations further comprising sending a thirdsetting associated with the exercise apparatus type and thepredetermined routine to the exercise apparatus during the workout. 8.The method of claim 1, the operations further comprising generating aplan for a future workout according to the updated fitness information.9. A method comprising: storing, on a storage medium, fitnessinformation applicable to a user, wherein: the fitness informationcomprises at least one of exercise apparatus settings, user fitnessinformation, or user fitness tracking data; and the computer-readablestorage medium is a computer-readable storage medium of a portablewireless communications device; accessing the fitness information fromthe storage medium; establishing operative communication between anexercise apparatus and the portable wireless communication device;sending at least a subset of the fitness information from the portablewireless communication device to the exercise apparatus to facilitate auser workout using the exercise apparatus, wherein the at least a subsetof the fitness information comprises a first setting of the exerciseapparatus; receiving exercise information on the portable wirelesscommunication device corresponding to the user workout from the exerciseapparatus, wherein the exercise information comprises at least one ofresults of a workout, changed exercise apparatus settings, or changeduser fitness information; updating, during the workout, the at least asubset of the fitness information responsive to the received exerciseinformation; and storing only on the computer-readable storage medium,during the workout, at least a subset of the updated fitness informationfor a subsequent workout, wherein the at least a subset of the updatedfitness information comprises a second setting of the exercise apparatusobtainable only from the computer-readable storage medium, during thesubsequent workout.
 10. The method of claim 9, the operations furthercomprising providing feedback regarding the user workout to the user onthe portable wireless communication device.
 11. The method of claim 10,wherein providing feedback further comprises providing statisticalinformation relating to the workout.
 12. The method of claim 9, whereinthe exercise information comprises a change during the user workout tothe at least one setting of the exercise apparatus.
 13. The method ofclaim 9, the operations further comprising presenting information to theuser during the user workout on the wireless communication device. 14.The method of claim 13, wherein the presented information comprises atleast one of user workout progress, workout-related encouragement, oruser workout statistics.
 15. The method of claim 9, the operationsfurther comprising planning a future workout according to the updated atleast a subset of the fitness information.
 16. The method of claim 9,wherein communication is established with the exercise apparatus by wayof one of a wired or wireless connection.
 17. A method comprising:receiving fitness information from a first device, wherein: the fitnessinformation comprises at least one of exercise apparatus settings, userfitness information, or user fitness tracking data; and the first devicecomprises a remote portable wireless device; storing the fitnessinformation in a memory of a second device; presenting at least a subsetof the fitness information to the first device; sending at least a firstsubset of the fitness information from the first device to an exerciseapparatus, the at least a first subset of the fitness informationcomprising a first setting of the exercise apparatus; receiving exerciseinformation relating to a user workout on the portable wireless device,the exercise information comprising a second setting of the exerciseapparatus for a subsequent workout, wherein the exercise informationcomprises at least one of results of the user workout, changed exerciseapparatus settings, or changed user fitness information; updating thefitness information stored in the memory responsive to the receivedexercise information; generating updated fitness information; andsending at least a subset of the updated fitness information from thefirst device to the exercise apparatus, the at least a subset of theupdated fitness information comprising the second setting of theexercise apparatus for the subsequent workout obtainable only from theportable wireless device, during the subsequent workout.
 18. The methodof claim 17, the operations further comprising providing feedbackregarding the user workout to the user.